Nine Entries Shortlisted For ICQF Awards
We are delighted to announce that The Q Cafe Company have 8 products shortlisted in the Irish Cafe Quality Food and Drink Awards (ICQF Awards). Additionally we have been shortlisted for the Contract Catering Cafe of the Year Award!
Citrus Avocado Dark Choc Cake
With the superb results in the ICQF Awards in 2015, our team was incredibly enthusiastic to enter this year. Many of our younger chefs, lead by Executive Chef Dave Gorman, observed the success of those such as Chef CJ Barry last year. Our team began working in a productive and creative environment to generate some really fabulous dishes and products. Learn about our short listed products as follows…
Chef Denise Murray has been working for The Q Cafe Company for 11 years. After recently finishing her Bachelors Degree in Culinary Arts and subsequently being accepted for commence a Masters Degree in Nutrition Denise decided to use her experience to create the decadent Citrus Avocado Dark Chocolate Cake. Gluten free, grain free, dairy free and refined sugar free. Denise utilised highly nutritious ingredients such as avocados and chia seeds to create her cake. What a stunner!
After the fantastic success of last year winning the Breakfast Solutions Award and subsequently winning the Overall Gold Award for his granola, Chef CJ Barry remastered his breakfast staple. Creating a lighter summer version CJ has evolved his famous breakfast choice.
Summer Granola
Chef CJ also let the creative juices flow for lunch, entering a Honey Chilli Shrimp Popcorn. Upon trying chicken popcorn snacks in restaurants he was dismayed at the lack of protein offered, as such CJ developed an Asian inspired lunch option to wow the crowds.
Honey Chilli Shrimp Popcorn
Chef Orla Quinlan has always adored art. Upon qualifying as a chef pastry became a true passion for Orla. She recognised a great talent for icing and so she began to create bespoke cakes. We entered Orlas incredible Igloo Antics Chocolate Biscuit Christmas Cake. A brilliant fun, family Christmas centrepiece. Not to mention delicious too!
Igloo Antics Chocolate Biscuit Christmas Cake
Chef Jill Walsh brought her love of baking to the fore with her fantastic tea time treat of Red Velvet Cupcakes. Her previous teaching experience in Ballymaloe Cookery School and work with AVOCA shone through in her attention to detail. The sweet southern classic with chocolaty hints and cream cheese icing is one afternoon treat that does not disappoint!
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Beetroot Brownie with Lemon Mascarpone
Some of our younger chefs brilliantly stepped up to the mark under the guidance of Executive Chef Dave Gorman and Chef Jill Walsh. Chef Aldas baked from the heart. With the love of home he created his show stopping Lithuanian Honey Cake (see main picture above). Layers of sweet and slightly spiced cream and sponge, the cake is always a huge success with our customers in The Q Cafe Company. Additionally Chef Brandon created an earthy desert of Beetroot Brownie with Lemon Mascarpone. The subtle tones of beetroot are complimented by the sweet soft brownie while the lemon mascarpone lightens the dish, creating a truely memorable desert indeed.
Over the past 18 months we have been working with Cliona Hegarty, creator of Boost Bites, to promote and sell her delicious snacks. These low G.I., raw, dairy free, gluten free, vegan snacks are perfect for an afternoon pick me up. Due to the success of her delicious Coco Bella Bites across Q Cafe Company we decided to enter them into the ICQF Awards. We are delighted that Coco Bella Bites have also been shortlisted. A well deserved recognition of a simply delicious, healthy snack.
Coco Bella Bites
We would like to congratulate our fantastic team involved in creating, developing and managing our entries for the Irish Cafe Quality Food Awards. Many thanks also go the the Irish Cafe Quality Food Awards for providing the opportunity for cafes in Ireland to partake in the promotion of great Irish food and food producers.
